Parliament Question: Implementation of DAY-NRLM

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5175 ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF DAY-NRLM 5175. Shri Durai Vaiko: Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is implementing schemes to promote skill development and entrepreneurship among rural women, particularly through programmes such as the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY- NRLM); (b) if so, the details of such programmes implemented in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai districts; (c) the number of women trained and supported to start micro and small enterprises in these districts during the last five years; (d) whether the Government proposes to expand training, financial assistance and market linkages for rural women entrepreneurs in these districts, if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken or proposed to be taken to strengthen Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and promote women-led enterprises in rural areas? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a) to (c): Yes. Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the following two Centrally Sponsored Schemes namely Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) & Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI) in the field of skill development for rural poor youth for their gainful employment with a view to eradicate poverty in the country under the umbrella scheme of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) including in the State of Tamil Nadu. A brief on the Schemes is as follows: Page 1 of 4I. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): DDU-GKY is a placement-linked skill development program for rural poor youth in the age group of 15-35 years. It empowers the rural poor youth with employable skills and facilitates their participation in regular labour markets, thus providing them with jobs having regular monthly wages at or above the minimum wages. DDU-GKY guideline provides social inclusion of SC/ST (50%), Women (33%), and PwDs (5%). II. Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs): Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI) is a poverty alleviation programme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) that promotes sustainable livelihoods through skill development with a mandate of minimum 70% settlement. Functioning as a strategic arm of the Skill India Mission and adhering to common norms of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). RSETIs operates through a three-way partnership among the Ministry of Rural Development, State/UT Governments, and Sponsor Banks. Banks establish at least one RSETI in each lead district to provide fully funded by MoRD, largely residential, short-term National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) aligned training to rural youth (18–50 years) with a focus on self-employment and micro-enterprise development, along with credit linkage and two years of handholding support. The Scheme ensures inclusive participation of women, SC/STs, minorities, PwDs, SHG members and through convergence with various government schemes and departments, training programmes are extended to beneficiaries identified under NRLM, PMEGP, DAY- NULM, MUDRA, PMAY-G and MGNREGA and other livelihood and entrepreneurship promotion initiatives, thereby enhancing employability, reducing distress migration, and strengthening rural livelihoods. The details of women candidates trained and placed/ settled under DDU-GKY & RSETI in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai districts are given in Annexure-I. (d): The Government is implementing the RSETIs programme at Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai to promote entrepreneurship among rural poor, including women. Under this programme, training, financial assistance and market linkages for rural women entrepreneurs are being continuously strengthened. RSETIs conduct Page 2 of 4skill development and Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs), with several courses exclusively designed for women, such as tailoring, food processing, and service-oriented activities. Further, trained candidates are provided handholding support and are facilitated for credit linkage with banks to enable them to establish micro-enterprises. In addition, women entrepreneurs are supported through convergence with schemes such as DAY-NRLM, MUDRA and Stand-Up India, which provide financial assistance and promote enterprise development. Efforts are also made to improve market linkages through institutional support, digital platforms, and self-help group networks. (e): The Government has taken several steps to strengthen Self- Help Groups (SHGs) and promote women-led enterprises in rural areas through the RSETIs in convergence with other schemes. RSETIs conduct skill development and Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) for SHG members, particularly women, to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities and enable them to take up self-employment activities. Special focus is given to need-based and locally relevant trades to support viable women-led enterprises. Further, trained SHG members are provided post-training handholding support, including guidance in preparation of project reports, enterprise management, and facilitation of credit linkage with banks for setting up micro-enterprises. RSETIs also coordinate with banks and line departments to improve credit flow and ensure timely financial assistance to SHGs. The Government continues to strengthen these initiatives to enhance sustainability, income generation, and scalability of women-led enterprises in rural areas. ***** Page 3 of 4Annexure-I Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5175 due for reply on 24.03.2026 Women candidates trained and placed/ settled in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai under DDU-GKY & RSETI during the last 5 years and the current year: Scheme DDU-GKY RSETI District Tiruchirappalli Pudukottai Tiruchirappalli Pudukottai Women Women Women Women Women Women Women Women FY Trained placed Trained placed Trained settled Trained settled 2020-21 184 158 73 70 344 695 321 280 2021-22 354 282 200 158 367 358 377 522 2022-23 317 246 300 186 699 518 651 462 2023-24 280 219 298 178 716 647 669 539 2024-25 165 62 115 87 956 866 889 915 2025-26 (till Feb 55 33 72 13 832 749 866 788 2026) Total 1355 1000 1058 692 3914 3833 3773 3506 Source: State Govt. of Tamil Nadu (DDU-GKY) and NACER (RSETI) ***** Page 4 of 4